THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL – The Review

I know what you may be thinking. “Another weekend, another movie sequel”. Well yes, we do have a follow-up flick in this weekend’s new release batch, but this is a bit different from the escalating, Roman numeral-added blockbuster franchises. The original from 2011, wasn’t a big stunt-filled action flick. Nor was it a crude. lewd lowbrow comedy. It was a modest success that spoke to a nearly neglected audience. This was that rare feature that mainly concerned the senior set, and boasted an almost “Avengers-like” teaming of British cinema and stage actors. That first pairing didn’t conclude on a “cliffhanger”, but many fans would relish the chance to see what happened to their new film friends. After nearly four years, they’re getting that chance to catch-up. For the price of a movie ticket they can reserve a suite at THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL.

This new story begins just eight months or so since the conclusion of the first entry and finds both Sonny (Dev Patel) and Muriel (Maggie Smith) in a very foreign setting, zipping down a California highway in a fancy rented convertible. They’re headed to San Diego to meet with the head of the Evergreen company, a big hotel chain, to get them to invest in Sonny’s plan to expand by taking over a nearby hotel. The big cheese, Mr. Burley (David Strathairn) assures them that he will study their proposal and send down a secret rep to observe the operation. Then it’s back to India, as the distracted Sonny prepares for his upcoming wedding with the gorgeous Sunaina (Tina Desai). And we check up on the longtime guests. Evelyn (Judi Dench) and Douglas (Bill Nighy) slowly continue to push their friendship into a romance, which is soon tested when she is offered a big career opportunity. Ladies’ man Norman (Ronald Pickup), now manager of the British ex-pat club the Viceroy, has settled down with Carol (Diana Hardcastle), but a misunderstanding with a cab driver could send his life into chaos. The romance-seeking Madge (Celia Imrie) must now choose between two marriage-minded suitors. Things get even more complicated for Sonny when two new guests arrive at the hotel: a woman shopping for her mother’s new home, Lavinia (Tamsin Greig), and an American writer, Guy (Richard Gere). Sonny believes that Guy is Burley’s undercover inspector, but the man seems more interested in Sonny’s widowed mother “Mama G” (Lillete Dubey) than the new hotel. The conflicts and confusion continue as the big wedding quickly approaches.

The whole gang’s back except for the much missed Tom Wilkinson, with Smith as the ship’s steady anchor amongst the turbulent seas of love and business. With her withering stare and deadpan delivery, almost a modern-day variation of her “Downton Abbey” TV character, Muriel tries to put everyone back on track and keep life a bit less complicated. This time we get to see much more of her vulnerable side as she seems to hope that “Father Time” can give her a few more laps around the track, now that she has much more to live for. She’s a good contrast to Patel’s usually frazzled Sonny. His over-enthusiasm in the early scenes is exhausting, but luckily Patel finds a calmer balance by the finale. Dench is even better this time out as Evelyn really begins to blossom in her new home and embraces the country’s people and culture. Nighy as her hesitant beau is full of flittery, befuddled charm whether he’s trying to bluff through his tour group guide patter, or daring to suggest a nightcap to Evelyn. Pickup still has that rascally twinkle in his eye while his Norman is determined to make his relationship work and resist temptation (and track down that confused cabbie). Imrie’s Madge now brims with confidence, but is torn until she realizes her best choice maybe be the least obvious. Desai is a bright stunning ray of sunshine even as the nuptials teeter on the edge of disaster. Dubey is a steely eyed force of nature as the domineering, but endearing matriarch. Newcomer Gere radiates “silver fox” charm as the object of every mature woman’s desire, save for the one who doesn’t melt at his sly gaze. Happily each member of this impressive ensemble gets their moment to shine.

Returning director John Madden directs this group with a steady, assured hand, leisurely cutting away and cutting in for dramatic or comedic effect. We get top see more of the country this time out and the cinematography by Ben Smithard, particularly in a sequence set at a fabric factory, and the big wedding with fireworks and fabulous fashions, is stunning. Since the whole “fish out of water” set-up was fully explored in the first film, screenwriter Ol Parker can concentrate more on the characters’ relationships, especially the sweet romance between Evelyn and Douglas. Although that often proves frustrating as several obstacles are tossed in their path. We almost want to grab Nighy by the shoulders and shout “C’mon, Doug! Time’s a wastin’!” to his face. The only subplot that doesn’t quite work is the Gere/ Dubey affair. She seems unreasonably stubborn, while we wonder why he persists (maybe because she’s the only lady not openly lusting after him). And, as is too often the case, every conflict will resolve at the big flashy wedding which provides an excuse for a big “Bollywood” dance number. But all is forgiven, since all the actors seem to be having a ball. And so will the first film’s fans. It’s a warm, entertaining reunion with some endearing friends. You’ll be happy to share a pot of (boiling hot) tea with the regulars of THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL.

4 Out of 5